1A wrestlers gear for first round

Wednesday

Feb 28, 2018 at 4:44 PMFeb 28, 2018 at 4:44 PM

KISSIMMEE — First-round pairings have been set for the 2018 Class 1A wrestling championships that begin Friday morning in Silver Spurs Arena.

Weigh-ins begin at 7 a.m. CST with the first round of wrestling at 9 a.m. in all three classes. The first round of wrestlebacks are scheduled immediately afterward followed by the second round, then the second round of wrestlebacks.

While there no longer are easy matches at this level, the eight area qualifiers have varying degrees of difficulty in their opening bouts of the double-elimination tournament.

Andrew Luzny of Bay brings a 35-12 record into his first match at 182 pounds. Luzny, however, faces defending 170-pound state champion Erich Byelick of Lake Highland Prep, 36-7. Byelick defeated Cole Maddox, then wrestling for Arnold, in the 170-pound final last March.

Drew St. Amant of Arnold, 49-4, acquired a high seed at 152 pounds. St. Amant placed fifth at state as a junior, and the region champion opens with Tristen Rocca of Westminster Christian Academy, 27-12.

Defending state champion Anthony Artalona of Tampa Prep also returns, but is at the opposite end of the lower bracket. St. Amant would only meet Artalona in the championship round if both advance to the finals.

Ethan Ellis of Marianna has drawn a difficult assignment at 145 pounds, as have many wrestlers who finished fourth in their respective region tournaments. Ellis, 24-14, opens with Joey Silva of Lake Highland Prep, 40-1.